Paris. July 2, 1971, early evening. Jim Morrison and his girlfriend Pamela Courson went to the cinema to see Pursued, a western starring Robert Mitchum. At another theater, Jim Morrison sat alone, watching a documentary called Death Valley. Across town, at the Rock ’n’ Roll Circus nightclub, Jim Morrison scored some heroin and OD’d in the bathroom. At the same time, Jim Morrison walked the streets of Paris and shot up with some junkies on skid row. Meanwhile, at Orly Airport, Jim Morrison boarded a plane for an unknown destination.

No one knows for sure where the 27-year-old Jim was or what he did that evening, but by the next morning, one thing was certain: He was dead.

Three months earlier, he had fled Hollywood. Bloated, bearded and out of control with his drinking, the once-svelte Lizard King had become a sad parody of his former self. During the difficult recording sessions for the Doors’ final album, L.A. Woman, Morrison would guzzle as many as 36 beers in a single day. His voice was giving out, and he was struggling with his lyric writing.

On March 11, 1971, he went to Paris for a sabbatical. He intended to get clean, lose some weight and reconnect with his muse.

Of the possible scenarios on the night he died, the first has become the most accepted. After the movie, he and Courson returned to their apartment at No. 17 Rue Beautreillis. They watched some Super 8 films of a recent Moroccan vacation before Courson went to bed. Jim stayed up for a while, listening to old Doors albums, trying to suppress a coughing fit that had started earlier in the evening. When he came to bed, he woke Courson, complaining that he felt sick.

He was up an hour later, feeling worse. When he vomited a small quantity of blood, Courson suggested they call a doctor. Jim instead asked her to run a bath for him. While he stretched out in the tub, she went back to bed. The last thing she remembered hearing Jim say was, “Are you there, Pam? Pam, are you there?”

Courson awoke a little after 6 a.m. and realized Jim wasn’t in bed. She called his name. No answer. In the bathroom, she found him submerged in the water. He had a smile on his face. At first she thought he was playing a joke. She shook him. When he didn’t respond, she called the fire department and then the police. They arrived too late.

Jim Morrison’s corpse, wrapped in plastic and packed in dry ice, remained in the apartment while Courson and Alain Ronay, a friend of the couple’s, made funeral arrangements. Three days later, the undertakers finally delivered the coffin that Courson had ordered (the cheapest possible model, the equivalent of $75 USD). Sometime during those 72 hours, a doctor visited the apartment and signed a death certificate. The official cause was listed as heart failure. No autopsy was performed.

By the time Doors manager Bill Siddons arrived from the United States on July 6, he found a sealed coffin and the death certificate. Only Courson and Ronay had seen Jim’s body before it was buried in Pere La Chaise Cemetery on July 7. When Ronay negotiated the deal to get an American into the famous French graveyard, he accepted a 30-year lease. It expired in 2001. As of this writing, the body has not been exhumed.

Siddons and Courson returned to Los Angeles the next day. Siddons told the press, “I have returned from Paris where I have attended the funeral of Jim Morrison. I can say he died peacefully of natural causes … ” This came six days after Morrison’s death (imagine that in today’s minute-by-minute media world). Questions started: Was there a police investigation? Why was there no autopsy? Who was the examining doctor? (Incredibly, Courson couldn’t remember the doctor’s name, and his signature on the death certificate was illegible). Why weren’t Jim’s parents told? (Courson lied to the American Embassy and said Morrison had no immediate family, which allowed for a quick, no-questions-asked burial. There wasn’t even a priest.)

Doors keyboardist Ray Manzarek asked Siddons, “How do you even know Jim was in the coffin? How do you know it wasn’t 150 lbs. of fucking sand?”

Putting aside that notion for a moment, what was it that killed Jim Morrison? There were many theories, from the possible (sexual disease) to the paranoid (he was a victim of a government conspiracy aimed at wiping out counterculture heroes) to the preposterous (a spurned ex-girlfriend killing him with a Wiccan hex).

Danny Sugerman, Doors insider and co-author of the best-selling biography No One Here Gets Out Alive, proposes a plausible theory. He says that Courson told him she had been doing heroin and lying to Jim that it was coke and downers (she died of an overdose in 1974). On the fateful evening, they had snorted heroin together (Morrison was terrified of needles). That summer in Paris, there was a potent version of the drug making the rounds, known as China White. “It’s not unusual when someone does heroin for the first time, for them to feel ill,” Sugerman told MOJO. “He was sick, he took a bath, he died. There was no more mystery than that.”

Many of Jim’s closest friends dispute Sugerman’s theory, saying that despite his penchant for excess, Jim never did hard drugs, and in fact, had a disdain for them.

As for the bigger question of whether he’s still alive, Jim once talked seriously about faking his own death as a publicity stunt, and he often joked to friends that one day, he’d split for Africa and change his name to Mr. Mojo Risin’ (an anagram for Jim Morrison). Over the years, he’s been spotted in Tibet, the Australian outback and the American midwest, where he supposedly rides rodeo and writes poetry on the side.

As Manzarek has said, “We don’t know what happened to Jim in Paris. To be honest, I don’t think we’re ever going to know. Rumors, innuendoes, self-serving lies, psychic projections to justify inner needs and maladies, and just plain goofiness cloud the truth. There are too many conflicting theories.”

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Comments (65)

I just recently listened to an interview with Jim that was done in 1970. He was extremely informed and articulate in his responses. It is quite sad that people can not seem to realize he had a very serious addiction but that did not define who he was at least to me.

If Jim Morrison faked his own death that would make him a genius right along Andy Kaufman. But, there would have to be others involved and who could keep a secret that long? He would always be looking over his shoulder. “Even though pseudocide (faking one’s own suicide) isn’t inherently a crime, you’ll basically be drowning in fraud.

After faking a death, you may be fraudulently:

Stealing life insurance,
Implicating your spouse as part of the con if he or she files a false police report,
Evading state and federal taxes, or perhaps
Violating court-ordered legal and financial obligations.

The criminal and civil penalties for these crimes can be stiff. They are typically felonies that can include jail, heavy fines, probation, and/or restitution.”

Jim Morrison shall be missed for ever.It is the strangest life he ever knew.
To all you lovely people missing him check out this Tribute band The Doors Alive and the lead singer Mike Griffieon…I have no doubt that Jim is back doing what he did best.https://youtu.be/Xigz9qUoUg8

Jim is not the first entertainer to “disappear”; being said to be dead. As for people would recognize him today…. I doubt it. Age, weight, short hair, gray hair, he could attend a Paul McCartney concert and I doubt if anyone would recognize him. I have been in entertain since age 11 (I’m 70 now) and when I see people today, that I used to perform on stage with, I think, boy have they changed. I would not have recognized him/her if I had not heard their voice. I hope Jim did straighten out and live a good life.

It could be that when rock stars who end up causing the record company’s to lose money due to bad publicity the record company’s or the music company’s some times assassinate the rock stars or are silenced by the government because the rock star is a threat to the system but I think it.s possible that some deaths are arranged by the greedy manegers or by the record company because the record company is

Going to lose to much money their has been far to much suspishoiuse death with in the music bussness

Could be Jim simply got sober, did not want that life anymore and the April 30th 2016 story of him being alive is true or was planted. Maybe he had a long lost son no one new about and had much love for this son, maybe the son has surfaced and is trying to find him in Paris at the nursing home to get some DNA maybe, Jim is very much alive we know his soul and spirit is, perhaps it was God who inspired Jim’s lyrics and poetry.

Pam was a parasite junkie with a whiney child-like attitude. She was overbearing. No wonder Jim cheated on her a lot. She supplied Jim with the heroin that killed him. Buried him in a cheap coffin with no honor. Her guilt kills her 3 years later. Jim is a true legend. I wish he was still with us. He had a short life for a genius.

The weird thing is nobody even bothered to investigate. No autopsy was done, everyone believed Courson despite so many changes in her story and no one even bothered to bring back his body to the States. They covered up his murder.

Jim is gone, and has been since 1971……there are so many conflicting dimensions to this story, and so much left out, innuendo, theory, speculation, etc. that the poor guy has been plagued with rumours for 45 years now.
Salli Stevenson, a “friend” of mine, claimed that Jim had been sniffing heroin BE-FORE he left LA, and that it most likely continued in France, and that de Breteuil was involved at the club, so……who knows? Pamela probably knew, but I saw the box of her ashes (with spider-webs and dust on top of it, along with a few polaroids of her and Jim circa 1968) at her plot at Fairhaven and she can’t contribute to the tale now obviously……..this sucks.

1. Morrison is dead.
2. Hendrix is dead.
3. Janis is dead.
4. A lot of Rock Stars are dead.
As time wears on, it comes to light that in my time with big bands that the management & cling on types are the ones who feed the performers the required means to keep them firing every night for the masses.So to a degree they are partly responsible for a lot of the addictions that cause the deaths in Rock ‘n’ Roll. As to, ( to a much lesser degree) are the fans. People need to relize that in the 60’s & 70’s muso’s were gods, and anything that could be done to make money off them was done… 10 fold! these days it still happens, but the muso’s ( not all, by any means) tend to be a little more aware of this & take control off their own affairs a bit better.
In short being a Rock Star in the 60’s was made to be glamorous, but in reality… turned most into bad addicts with big problems.
Very sad, but very true.

In 1973, I was told, by the most reliable source possible, a participant, that Morrison did heroin in the mens’ room at the Rock and Roll Circus in Paris. His body was taken back to his apartment, stripped and dumped in the bathtub which was filled with water. Pam Courson had passed out and knew nothing about it. The “pall bearers” left.

Wasn’t heroin. What really happened was Jim fell Hanging from a second or third story balcony of the Chateau Marmont. He fell, bounced off an awning and landed with a thud on the sidewalk. He then developed a breathing problem with cough. The hear valves got damaged and caught up with him in Paris.

I did not know Morrison or any of those involved in his life or death, but I did live thru that era, as a teen. What seems most likely to me is a version of the Rock n Roll Circus story. He went to the bar to score some heroin, it turned out to be “China White” of French Connection fame, and way stronger than he was used to. Morrison sorted some and OD’d. He was dead or nearly so when found in the bar bathroom, was taken to his apartment and placed in a tub of cold water in hopes of revival, which was the common street practice at the time. It didn’t work. The official story was a cover-up to protect commonlaw wife Pam Courson, who died of a drug OD in 1974, and possibly, aristocratic “drug dealer to the stars” Jean de Bretieul, who died of a drug OD only a few months later. Also, protecting owners of the Rock n Roll Circus might have been a part of the coverup. Morrison’s OD, if not death, could even have been at least partly on purpose, due to jealousy on the part of de Bretieul, given evidence of a classic love triangle. In that case, it would have probably been considered manslaughter, which might explain Pam’s angst and guilt over Jim’s death. Other scenarios might be possible, but in my opinion, and given Occam’s Razor (the simplest explanation is most often the correct one) this is the one that has the loudest ring of truth.

I simply can’t believe the self serving crap some people are spouting here. Ever heard of the “French Connection?” Not just a movie, it was based in fact. Particularly high grade China white heroin was being moved through Paris France. Entire flocks of people died from it, some famous in the several weeks before and after Morrison’s death including actress Talitha Getty. Marianne faithful’s boyfriend Jean de Breutil, a heroin dealer who also died of an overdose, was seeing Pamela Courson on the side and providing her with drugs. Several people confirm that much, it’s common knowledge. Now whatever story you go with,Jim dying in the bathroom at the Rock and Roll circus, dying at his apartment thinking he’d snorted cocaine but it being heroin, or knowingly sorting heroin, the common thread is he o.d.’d on heroin. The most likely scenario, the one supported by at least 3 people, those being Alain Ronay, Marianne Faithful, and Pamela Courson as confided to several individuals is that Jim died at his apartment from heroin insufflation either knowingly or accidentally taken when he thought it to be cocaine. Another thing to be taken into consideration is the fact that Morrison was found in the bath. The common practice at that time before narcan injection in case of heroin overdose was to throw the person in the coldest bath you could run to shock them awake. Lastly it should be noted that the very day of the morning that Jim Morrison died, Pamela’s heroin dealer Jean de Breutil decided to bugger off in a hurry and flew to Morocco within as little as 12 hours of Jim’s death. Just a wee bit suspicious no? So Jim is dead. Not hiding, not murdered, just od’d like many Parisians who ran afoul of the pure China white provided by the French Connection.

This makes sense. I had read Diane Gardiner (who lived downstairs from them in the house on Norton St) said Pam told her “Jim got into my stash.” He thought it was coke and she did not want to tell him she had heroin. I believe the Count Jean de Breutil supplied this heroin to Pam. That is why he hitailed it out of the country asap. Maryann Faithfull was there but she is not talking.

i produced a concert at Venice Beach for the alleged illegitimate son of Jim Morrison who had red hair, and he sounded just like Jim (voice wise)… later I spoke with this alleged son of Jim Morrison… Cliff Mosten or Mostern something… and his Lizard Son Band.. who told me Jim’s body was moved to San Diego to a different grave site, by Jim’s father who was in the military, because the upkeep on the Paris grave was really expensive. Cliff also said he met Jim’s dad and other family members. There have been reported visitations of Jim Morrison’s spirit or ghost in the Mar Vista and Venice Beach area.

Morrison on 9-22-70 was on Pier 60 in Clearwater beach Florida. He was charged w being drunk on that day. This was 3 days after the verdict in Miami. Fined 26.00.
This is the same city he spent 1 year in at SPJC. Got a and b grades. Same city he met a girl named Mary that he said he loved. First love.
Returns there looking for at Pier 60, where they spent a lot of time. She had gone to India by then. He did not know that. Returns to LA.
Mary now lives in N. Hollywood in a trailer park. She confirms love story.
I think he was telling Pam in Paris it was over and she likely did him in.
Sad story

I dont know if Pam did him in. Jim did leave her in his Will as his primary beneficiary. Did Pam know this? Even if she did, she never had a penny from his estate. If she had a plan to kill Jim with heroin and gain the rights to his songs (1/4 rights) you would think she would have stopped drugs, gone to rehab and lived like a millionaire like the rest of the Doors did. (the money would not come yet for years but she would have had royalties).

Pam’s mother said Pam would go to the beach and look out over the ocean waiting for Jim to return. Whether she OD’d him or not, we will never know. And how do you OD someone if the drug is being snorted? You wrote shot him up, she would have had to use a needle when he was passed out.. but was he passed out?

Apparently she felt so much guilt her life spiraled downwards without Jim. If you look at their last pictures in Paris, this doesnt look like a man who was about to dump Pam. Mary, the other woman you mention wanted nothing to do with Jim and walked away from him forever because of his womanizing and drugs. So he wasnt returning to her because she wouldnt have him. Jim was there with Pam and staying with her at least then. He put her in his Will for a reason.

This was after court sentence of 6 months in jail at hard labour decision. He fled to Paris knowing he was not gonna serve this. The case was on appeal when he fled. He knew the evils in our justice system.

Spotted in the australian outback?? you think people in the australian outback wouldnt recognise jim morrison?? if that guy walked into a pub in the australian outback there would be a bloody true blue aussie sing along and possibly a round of meat pies on the house.

But in the outback of Australia it’s people are aboriginis tribe not regular citizens of Australia who might know the doors. The tribe has no civilian luxuries. I’m assuming if he was spotted there it was from a civilian who was exploring that territory. There are many places in the U.S that are desolent where people of fame can go to be unseen. The media can be so convincing to people to say alot of untrue things and if enough of them pretrue it, people will start to beleive. Unfortunately it happens alot. I’m not saying I know for a fact this is true but defiantly saying that it is possible. We should always have an open mind to possibilities outside of the media or news.

Jim was a very very smart man. He Had A very high IQ. The key to this mystery is the Date he died. 2 years to the day after Brion Jones Died. This was no accident. He was in trouble with the Law. The Doors were Done havering been Blacklisted because of Miame. He had Done it all, the only thing left was for him toned it all. He knew what he was doing , Ifirmly Believe He just Killed Himself, and Pam and the others covered it up.

The Doors had a #1 hit in the US at the time Jim was in Paris. When Jim called the LA office I think he talked to Densmore. He asked about the album. He didnt even know what a hit it had become. Perhaps if Jim didnt die he would have made another Doors album going the blues route. I also think Jim left the US because he knew he was going to get six months of hard labor. In Paris he was safe from being put into jail. I think he would have just stayed in Paris until a plea could have been arranged, then come back to the US and work on a real blues album with the Doors and not tour. I dont believe he killed himself.

Morrison and Brian Jones both died in water…”Shallow grave”?..Not so James..you’re buried 4metres deep (14′)..I’ve just been to the grave..There’s a cop there 24/7…after all these years amazing…it was raining pretty hard when I was there but there was still about 20people there..including the cop..in the evening it must be pretty spooky for whoever pulls that shift..

In high school and college, I believed that Morrison had actually faked his death and was living incognito SOMEWHERE in the world, but now in my 50’s, having lived a life of art and occasional excess, I’m convinced he did die on that fateful day in Paris. Why? Some of the reasons mentioned here as well as my own:

– Pamela Courson would never have been party to his disappearance alone. She simply adored Jim and could never live without him. She tried, but failed, to do so, though, but we’ve seen the results.

– Marianne Faithfull recently came out and confirmed that Jim had been ingesting heroin in some fashion he got from her boyfriend and thus suspected (without knowing any more facts) that Morrison died of an overdose.

– While it’s a romantic fantasy for many, it’s a lot more difficult than you would think to reinvent yourself, especially if you’re a recognized figure in the world. The practical aspect (funds, faked credentials, etc.) is difficult enough to put together without just leaving town on a whim to start over. Considering Jim’s prodigious drinking habit — not to mention any other drugs he imbibed — he would not have been able to organize it all despite his intelligence.

My two cents …

MCC

PS I have a copy of Jim’s original death certificate somewhere in my papers. You can request a copy, at least you could back in the 70’s/80’s, for a few bucks.

Truth or not I know someone who is alive and well that has a death certificate that’s official. He faked his death and can slow his pulse and heart down so slow that it can’t register. It’s a possibility and if you have enough money and connections you can make unrealistic things possible. A majority of people will always beleive what they are told by sources of a good name. Sometimes it’s easier to believe what you hear rather than the truth if its thought to be unrealistic.

Jim Morrison was a gifted performer who drank
too much. By 1968, his intake was getting totally out of control, and this caused the group to slowly fall apart. There is a chilling clip of Jim in the throes of an alcohol induced spasm in the excellent “When You’re Strange” documentary.

Clearly he was on the road to self destruction, and wouldn’t have lasted much longer even if he had not gone to Paris. Nevertheless the Doors made great music which remains timeless.

It is funny that Jim Morrison died two years to the day that his friend Brian Jones died. Brian died July 3rd, 1969, and Jim July 3rd, 1971. No one ever saw the body,
only Pam says she saw it, and she died in 1974. His parents and band members didn’t go to the funeral, never saw the body and there is no proof he is buried in France.

Jim Morrison has fans all over the world across all generations.If he were to live he would have been as old as my father.I have immense love for his music ,charismatic performances and of course for Doors.JIM JOHN RAY AND ROBBIE were the greatest four incredible young men ever who came together to create such music spectacle.The saddest part is we millions of Doors fans have not been able to put the death rumors of JIM Morrison to rest.The closure will not happen ever.Pamela Courson is dead too and she only spent all the time and energy to hide the facts to save her back.

Guys, we all know how much Pam loved JIm, do you really think that he took off without her? Pam could not live without Jim. She suffered so much the years she had to live without him. why would she live without Jim and take her life, accidental or not, shes dead. Dont ya think if she helped him slpit they would reunite later at some point. Shes dead too. If it was a plan for Jim to leave do you really think its a case of if u love someone let them go, I think not. Jim has proved he wanted to be with Pam, Pam has proved she cant live without Jim, she would not have died if they were planning to see each OTHER again.I think the only thing that is not clear is axactly the way he passed. Does that really matter?

Yeah she loved him so much she bought him the cheapest coffin she could find and burried him like a dog, then ran straight back to LA and sued the Doors for all of Jims estate. Give the whole romatic crap a rest please, Pam was a junkie parasite who was the worst thing in Jims life.

JIM AND PAM, PAM AND JIM…..I HAVE BEEN AN AVID DOORS FAN FOREVER. I HAVE READ ALL THERE IS TO READ ABOUT THE DOORS AND JIM MORRISON. IF HIS FATHER WAS AN ADMIRAL IN THE NAVY, HE COULD HAVE HELPED WITH DOCUMENTS….THEY ARE NOT HARD TO GET….I BELIEVE WHOLEHEARTEDLY THAT JIM IS STILL AMONG US….HE HAD NO PEACE WHEN HE WAS ALIVE…SO IF HE MENTIONED FAKING HIS OWN DEATH AND HAVING PAM WAIT TWO YEARS TO RECONNECT, WHY IS THAT SO HARD TO BELIEVE?

Dont forget Maryanne Faithful was called there along with the Count De Breteuil. He died a little later from heroin overdose. Pam was having an affair with him BEFORE Jim got to Paris..she had left a few weeks before he did. The Count supplied heroin to Pam..she did not need Jim to go out and get it.

Maryanne Faithful is still alive and wont talk about what she saw that day. There is more to how he died..what IF the Count and Jim got into a fight over the Count having s e x with Pam? Jim hated heroin..go over and read the Doors website. There are a few people there who actually knew Jim, have their picture posted with him..one is a Liz I think, she was a journalist and interviewd Jim. She said Jims body WAS in a morgue about 3 days. There is a book out by a journalist that retraced all the steps Jim took, even went to the hospital where the morgue was to find records of Jim.

Read Alain Ronays version of what happened that day. Does it sound made up? Pam told her publicist Diane Gardner (google it, I think thats the spelling) said PAM actually told her “Jim got into my stash.” Did we ever see an interview with Diane Gardner..she also lived downstairs from Jim and Pam so she knew a lot.

check out the last days of Jim and theres discrepancies in the story, especially Alain Ronay.

Its a FACT Jim was in the morgue. Amazon had a book by a journalist about it..

I read that his body was kept in the apartment bedroom for 3 days – wrapped in plastic and iced – which is how it is often done in many European countries. After a few days, a coffin was delivered and the plot at the cemetery secured.

Yesterday, I was watching the Jimmy Fallon show with my parents and saw the skit they did with The Doors. Last night, we watched the movie. I have to say, as a twelve year old girl, I actually really like The Doors. Although its not really the music I like, there still great songs! Jim Morrison, well I don’t know too much about him. But I do know that he didn’t care about what anybody thought of him. I admire that in him. Jim Morrison, you are one amazing singer, poet, and songwriter! I love you!

Wow that’s awesome you like The Doors…not many 12 year olds do! You sound like an old soul. Jim Morrison was one of a kind…a great artist and poet and a strong presence. He marched to the beat of his own drummer…a little crazy…but then again most of the greats are.

dig him up and there is the truth ,,, people want to live in lie’s to fuel their sick need for pain,,, I believe it would heal jim’s soul to tell the truth ,,, he wasn’t afraid ,, like all the slaves he tried to save were……,,,

Jim Morrison is alive in the hearts and minds of many people, whether he really died or not. His music still reaches deep and is as moving as ever. His ‘death’ may have been The End of an age, but I believe he was able to Break on Through to the Other Side.

How very eloquent your observation about the “soft parade”. I have been a Morrison fan all my life and I believe Jim IS in the afterlife and I also believe he knew his days were numbered. He saw his own death and made several comments to the effect that he saw himself dead in the bath prior to the event happening and only months before he died and after hearing about Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplins untimely demise told many in his company “Your drinking with number three”. I do not believe he killed himself or that it was a government plot, I do believe however it was imminent being he was ingesting 3-4 fifths a day of bourbon and beer on top of it, his eating habits were poor at best and he had many health issues he ignored. Jim DID do hard drugs, as a matter of fact from sources in his inner circle including Ray, John,Robbie and Danny and half the road crew , Jim would do just about anything that he could get his hands on in excess and knew he was teetering on the edge. He HATED heroine but may well have thought , hey what the hell, maybe it’ll make me feel less ill(he’d been struggling all day while in the company of Alain Ronay with stomach issues probably caused by a peptic ulcer which can be deadly when drinking) and like Kurt Cobain may have tried it to alleviate his distress (doubtful though)or like Ray figures he may have gone to score for Pam and that’s why she was covering to save her own hide. We will never ever know unless someone steps up and admits what they really know and the only ones who still remain alive who do are not talking at all. I believe Ray knows the truth.In any case, in “The End” Jim got precisely what he craved the most, recognition as a poet thanks to friends and family who published his work. He is now interred with some of the worlds most notable poets and will forever be immortalized in his words and music. Were coming up on the 42 anniversary of his passing and all I can say is thank you Jim for the music, the memories and the poetry. “I see myself as a huge fiery comet, a shooting star. Everyone stops, points up and gasps “Oh look at that!” Then- whoosh, and I’m gone…and they’ll never see anything like it ever again… and they won’t be able to forget me- ever.”~James Douglas Morrison

He is definitely dead unfortuantely. No way he snuck away or anything like that- that’s crazy. His ex has been qouted afterwards as saying she couldnt wait to ‘meet back up with him’ in the afterlife. Thus her quick departure via heroin overdose. If he did do some heroin that night (and with some other potentially unaddressed lung problems or other underlying problems) it could have easily killed him. People OD on heroin all the time. The fact that there was no autopsy- this was 1971 and no foul play was suspected and this is France and its an American (foreigner) that they dont care about particular;y who died- that is not surprising at all. Things were different back then especially in a foreign country as a non-native. It was a shame but the creative brilliance endures.

I don’t believe he died If they called the police there would have been and investigation, the body would have been taken to the hopital for an autopsy then shipped to a morgue for proper preparation for burial. The body would not have been left in the apartment for 72 hours on ice. Then some doctor showss at the door and signs a supposed death certificate. Give me a break. His immediate family was not notified until after he was buried. His family would have wanted to see the remains and make proper funeral arrangments and asked too many questions. The less people that knew any details the better and easier the cover up.

I visited Pere LaChaise 5 years ago to see Jim’s final resting place. It was an incredibly sad experience, here was this amazing talent that was taken from us by his own hands. I guess what drove him to such unbelievable creative heights also killed him. But if anyone saw that coming it had to be Jim himself. In the quiet beauty of Pere LaChaise I was dumbstruck by the sheer volume of people who visited his grave during the hour I was there. No anniversary of his birth or death, just a regular weekday. I counted no less than one hundred and twenty who came and went in an hour. It truly is a “Soft Parade.” Looking at his final resting place it is almost impossible to not recall some of his final lines in that song- “Successful hills are here to stay, welcome to the soft parade. All our lives we sweat and save, building for a shallow grave. Must be something else we say, somehow to defend it’s place. Everything must be this way. Everything must be this way.” To those of you who refuse to let him go by declaring him alive and well somewhere, all I can say is you’re partially right. All great art must outlast it’s creator, and in that sense James Douglas Morrison will never truly “die.” We will love you two times Jim. Once for tomorrow and once just for today. Love you two times, you will NEVER go away…….